Decorator garbage and trash container

ABSTRACT

A decorative receptacle for containing refuse and the like having a boxlike structure, a disposable plastic insert, an ornamental cover and a self-contained bugspray bomb. The receptacle includes an imitation brick exterior surface and a cover having a decorative grouping of artificial plants. The container resembles an attractive brick structure serving the purpose of a planter rather than its intended use.

11881100 Cooley [54] DECORATOR GARBAGE AND TRASH CONTAHNE [72] Inventor: Michael P. Cooley, Memphis, Tenn.

[22] Filed: Jan. 13, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 2,490

521 U.S.C1. ..220/11, 161/31, 206/D1G. 35, 220/1 T, 220/41, 220/63 R, 220/87, 220/24 so,

I 229/8 51 1111.0. ..B65d 25/14, B65d 25/38 [58] FieldofSearch ..220/17, 1 T,41,87, 63,67,

220/1 R; 206/DIG. 35, DIG. 34, 45.15; 229/8; 217/62; 49/404, 421; 161/18, 27, 31

IIYTIIILLLLN I, n 1, III/I 171-11 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,105,706 3/1968 GreatBritain ..220/24GC 1,175,973 1/1970 GreatBritain ..206/45.15

Primary Examiner-Wi1liam T. Dixson, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus Attorney-John R. Walker, 111

[57] ABSTRACT A decorative receptacle for containing refuse and the like having a boxlike structure, a disposable plastic insert, an ornamental cover and a self-contained bugspray bomb. The receptacle includes an imitation brick exterior surface and a cover having a decorative grouping of artificial plants. The container resembles an attractive brick structure serving the purpose of a planter rather than its intended use.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEDHAR 71912 3,647. 102

' INVENTOR. MICHAEL P. COOLE Y DECORATOIR GARBAGE AND TRASH CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to refuse receptacles and more particularly, to a receptacle for collecting and holding household refuse.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, the typical garbage container comprised an unattractive usually cylindrical plastic or metallic can. Many attempts have been made to obscure these containers from public view, e.g., construction of wood latticework or brick walls or planting of shrubbery around the container location, to the extent of burying a shell for receiving the can and having a foot-actuated cover which is flush with the ground.

The Richardson U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,364,209; 1,424,519; 1,424,520 and the Cooke et al. U.S. Pat. No. 1,108,066 pertain to a combined trash receptacle and advertising carrier directed toward use on street corners or other public places. Each of these patents have a removable lining, comprising a paper bag, a wire basket or the like. The Hobbs U.S. Pat. No. 1,130,086 is very similar to those mentioned except this one does not include advertising. The Nolen U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,134 relates to a garbage can holder which holds the receptacle in a secure position wherein it will not be flipped over by animals or by the wind. The Martinich U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,583 has similar structure to those above mentioned ex cept for a removable tray having an impervious bottom positioned at the bottom of the casing to prevent garbage spillage from falling to the bottom of the casing while maintaining air circulation in contact with the garbage within its container. The Heck U.S. Pat. No. 3,451,453 has structure similar to those above mentioned except for the provisions for storing a supply of and dispensing a disposable protective liner. None of the above containers have a true aesthetic character which would lend themselves to being prominently displayed adjacent the beautiful residential homes or apartment dwellings of today.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the heretofore-mentioned and other disadvantages prevalent with the prior art. The garbage container of the present invention is truly a thing of beauty to behold, having a boxlike structure with an exterior surface on the four sides formed from molded plastic or the like which resembles fancy brickwork in both color and texture. The slidably attached cover includes a decorative grouping of artificial plants or the like, thus the container of the present invention possesses the outward appearance of a brick planter. The most important feature of the present invention is that it need not be obscured from public view, obviating the expense and effort involved in constructing a brick or shrubbery enclosure for that purpose.

Many cities, providing sanitation service, require the residents to place the garbage at the curb for pickup. This presents many problems: (1) Someone in the household must remember to carry the containers to the curb, usually the night before pickup; (2) many households do not have an able-bodied person capable of carrying heavy containers to the curb; (3) the garbage containers, be they cans or plastic bags, etc., present a most unsightly appearance to the neighborhood; (4) someone in the household must return the containers to their normally obscured location. The preferred appearance of the container of the present invention has such realism that it may be permanently located adjacent the curb or at the edge of the driveway with dignity and pride obviating the above stated problems. The resident need not be ashamed of it being viewed by bypassers. The present invention is adapted to be anchored in place with a plurality of metal pegs which may be driven into the earth.

One of the features of the invention is the plastic bag insert which the sanitation workers merely lift from the boxlike structure and toss onto the loading vehicle. A further concept of the present invention is to provide a bracket which supports a typical bugspray bomb, the bracket and bug bomb being positioned within the boxlike structure between an inner wall and the plastic bag insert. A lever is pivotally mounted through a slot in the side of the boxlike structure having one end engaging the pushbutton top portion of the spray bomb and the other end protruding beyond the exterior surface so that the encased spray bomb may be activated by hand from without by raising the protruding end of the lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the garbage container of the present invention taken from a rearward oblique and showing the cover displaced so as to more clearly reveal the interior structure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line "-11 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the container with the cover installed, looking toward the interior of the front side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disposable plastic bag insert.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The garbage container 11 of the present invention includes a boxlike main body portion 13, a slidable cover 15, a plurality of anchoring pegs 17, a disposable plastic bag insert 19 and a self-contained typical bugspray bomb 21. The main body portion 13 comprises four vertically disposed walls, i.e., two parallel spaced-apart end panels 23, 25 and a front and rear panel 27, 29 respectively having a parallel spaced-apart relationship, forming right-angles at the four corners thereof. The main body portion 13 also comprises a horizontal impervious bottom portion 31 and is supported by a rectangular-shaped base 33 having an overall dimension slightly greater than the corresponding panels 23, 25, 27, 29 forming a horizontal outwardly protruding edge portion 35 along the four sides.

The main body portion 13, being formed from molded plastic or the like, has a cavity 37 formed by the four vertically rising walls 23, 25, 27, 29 and the bottom 31. The exterior surface of the main body portion 13 possesses an attractive ap pearance and has the appearance of construction material found in planters, as brick structure in both color and texture, and the base 33 has the appearance of a concrete slab foundation for such a brick structure. Included in the main body portion 13 are a pair of opposing L-shaped channels 39, 41 and a pair of inwardly canted elongated depressions 43, 45 which will become more meaningful as the remaining structure is disclosed.

The cover 15, being formed of molded plastic or the like, comprises a rectangular traylike structure having four vertical rising walls, two parallel spaced-apart front and back sections 51, 53 respectively with the four corners forming right-angles and having dimensions substantially equal to the dimensions of the corresponding panels 23, 25, 27, 29 of the main body portion 13. The cover 15 is supported by a pair of elongated opposing L-shaped slide rails 55, 57 having a cross-sectional dimension slightly less than the cross-sectional dimension of the corresponding L-shaped channels 39, 41. The rails 55, 57 contiguously engage the channels 39, 41 respectively permitting the cover 15 to slide like a drawer to a closed position. In FIG. 1, the broken lines show that when cover 15 is in a closed position, the end sections 47, 43 and the front and back sections 51, 53 are flush with the end panels 23, 25 and the front and rear panels 27, 29 respectively of the main body portion 13.

The cover 15, having a cavity 59 which is formed by the four walls 47, 49, 51, 53 and bottom portion 61, is filled with a block of styrofoam plastic 63 having a water impervious membrane b5 flush with the uppermost edge 67. The styrofoam 63 supports a decorative grouping comprising a plurality of artificial plants 63 and the membrane 65 insures that the container 11 may be located in an unsheltered environment without encountering a problem of water standing in the cavity 59. If desired, styrofoam 63 may be omitted permitting the cavity 59 to be filled with earth or the like and live plants may then be grown in the cover H5.

The slide rails 55, 57 being parallel one with the other and with the lateral axis of the cover are flush with the back section 53 and extend laterally toward the front section 53, however, they are shorter than the end sections 4Y7, 49 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the front panel 27, as best viewed in FIG. 2. Thus, the exterior surface of the front section 51 may be flush with the exterior surface of the front panel 27 when the cover 15 is in the closed position and the front and the two ends presents an uninterrupted brick wall appearance. it should be understood that the exterior surfaces of the ends 47, 39 and the front and rear sections 51, 53 of the cover 15 preferably have structure identical to that of the main body l3. When the cover 15 is in the closed position the pattern of the brick surface is continuous from the body 13 to the cover 15. The slide rails 55, 57' have a crosssectional area dimension slightly less than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the channels 39, 451, however, the vertical portions 55, 57 have a length slightly greater than the cor responding length of the channels 39, ll so that the cover 15 being slightly elevated is fully supported by the portions 55", 57" contiguously engaging the corresponding horizontal portions of the channels 39, 41. Thus, the cover 15 is free to slide back and forth from a closed to an open position without binding and with a minimum of friction. It should be understood that the cover 15 need only be opened a short distance for depositing refuse items '71.

Digressing briefly now to more fully explain the structure of the channels 39, 41 and the depressions 43, 45, a pair of lips 73, 75 are turned in from the uppermost edges 23, 25 of the end panels 23, 25 and extend laterally from the front panel 27 to the rear panel 29. Since the lip 73 is a mirror image of lip 75, a detailed description of the lip 73 is intended to pertain to the lip 75 likewise. The lip 73, having an upper surface 77 and a lower surface 79 with the upper surface 77 flush with the upperrnost edge of the end panel 23, extends horizontally toward the center of the main body portion 13 to the channel 41. The elongated channel 41 has an L-shaped cross section and is positioned substantially as depicted in FIG. 3. The lip 73 continues to extend inwardly from the channel ill along an intermediate surface 77 to the canted depression 45. The depression 41, being canted inwardly and having a parallel spacedapart relationship with the channel 41, extends from wall to wall between the front and rear panels 27, 29. The intermediate surface 77' continues to extend inwardly from the depression 45 to a 90 downward directed innermost vertical 3 surface ill which extends downwardly and intersects the lower surface 79 which extends outwardly to the end panel 23. The lips 73, 75 are formed of molded plastic or the like preferably simultaneous with the end panels 23, 25 respectively. It should be understood that the channels 39, 41 extend from the inner side of the panel 27 to and through the rear panel 29 forming two opposing L-shaped openings to slidably receive the rails 55,57 of the cover 15.

The disposable insert 19, preferable formed from flexible plastic, has a suitable thickness to accommodate being filled to capacity with refuse articles 71 and not become easily torn. The insert l9 comprises a flexible rectangular boxlike structure having four walls and a bottom 83, S5, 87, 9t respectively and is partially suspended from a pair of parallel spaced-apart plastic or the like ribs 93, 95 which are bonded to the walls 85, 89 respectively. Since the insert 19 is disposable, a continuing replenishment is necessary. Accordingly, it is desirable that a plurality of inserts l9 be packaged in a compact unit occupying as little space as possible. The insert l9 being collapsible is preferably folded in a suitable manner to reduce the overall volume to an absolute minimum.

The insert 19, having first been opened up to conform to a shape substantially as depicted in H6. ll, is dropped into the cavity 37 of the main body portion l3 with the ribs 93, 95

loosely fitting into the depressions 43, 45 respectively. It should be understood that the two walls 85, 89 have a height slightly greater than do the walls 83, 87 forming a pair of tab portions $9 of the walls 35, 89. The tabs 85, 39' overlay the horizontal intermediate surface 77 between the depressions 43, 45 and the innermost vertical portion till. The space between the under surface of bottom 6!; of cover 55 and the surface '77 of the lips 73, '75 is preferably greater than the thickness of the material of tabs 35, 89 so that cover 15 will not be obstructed in its sliding movement by tabs 85', 39'. Also, the above-mentioned space between the undersurface bottom 61 and surface 77' is preferably less than the diameter or thickness or ribs 93, so that ribs 93, 95 can not pass through said space and will retain the upper edges of sides 85, 89 in place when cover 15 is closed. The insert l9 preferably has a suitable height so that when installed as described above, the bottom portion 91 will rest on the interior bottom portion 31 of the main body portion l3.

The anchoring pegs 17, being formed of metal or the like, have a rightangle projection 97 at the one end 17 and a tapered portion 99 at the other end 17'. The length of the projection 97 preferably is equal to the edge portion 35 of the base 33. The main body portion 13 is positioned at a desirable location and a plurality of anchoring pegs 17 are driven into the ground with the projections 97 directed inwardly so that it extends over the edge 35 of the base 33. The pegs 17 are of suitable length so that when driven into the ground with the projections 97 engaging the edge 33, the device will not be blown over by strong wind or the like.

The bugspray bomb Zll is supported internally by an annular bracket 99 which encircles the lower portion thereof. The bracket 99, being formed of plastic or the like, is bonded to the interior wall surface of the end panel 25, preferably being molded concurrently with the panel 25. An elongated aperture till, having a vertically disposed longitudinal axis, is positioned substantially as shown in FIG. 1. An elongated rigid lever 103, formed from metal or the like, protrudes through the aperture Mil with the one end 103 preferably having an annular portion with a concentric recessed cup which encircles the uppermost portion of the pushbutton 107 of the spray bomb 21. The lever M3 is pivotally attached to the panel 25 with a pivot pin through an aperture intermediate the lever M3. The protruding end 1130 of the lever extends beyond the bricklike surface of panel 25 at a sufficient distance which will enable the user to place at least one finger on the bottom surface of the end 103". The spray bomb 21 may be actuated, at random intervals at the discretion of the user, by placing a finger beneath the protruding end )3 and applying an upward force. This causes the lever 103 to pivot about the pivot pin E05 and the end 103' is forced downward depressing the pushbutton N7 of the spraybomb 21 which causes a portion of the contents thereof to be discharged into the cavity 37 of the main body portion 113. It should be noted that the plane of the annular portion at the end B03 is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the lever 103 so that the cup portion faces downwardly. Additionally, the lever 103 preferably has a bend intermediate thereof adjacent the pivot pin 195. The volume of the cavity 37 being considerably greater than that of the insert 119 allows for the vapors from the spraybomb 21 to permeate all the space within the cavity 37.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention.

lclaim:

l. A decorative receptacle for containing garbage, trash and the like comprising an upwardly opening boxlike main body portion, cover means movably mounted on said main body portion for the opening and closing thereof, an upwardly opening disposable flexible insert contained in said body portion for receiving garbage, trash and the like, said body portion having an exterior surface with the appearance of brick,

said cover means including means providing an upwardly opening cavity for the reception of flowers and the like whereby said receptacle has the appearance of a planter, said main body portion including spaced-apart inwardly projecting means adjacent opposite ends of said main body portion defining a pair of parallel spaced apart elongated depressions and a pair of ribs attached to said insert adjacent the upper edge thereof and removably received in said depressions.

2. The receptacle of claim 1 which includes a block of plastic contained in said cavity for simulating dirt and a plurality of artificial flowers upstandingly supported by said block of plastic for simulating growing flowers.

3. The receptacle of claim 2 in which is included bugspray means in said main body portion and lever actuating means operably engaging said bugspray means and extending to the exterior of said main body portion through an aperture in said main body portion or the actuation of said bugspray means from the exterior of said main body portion.

4. A decorative receptacle for containing garbage, trash and the like comprising an upwardly opening boxlike main body portion, cover means movably mounted on said main body portion for the opening and closing thereof, an upwardly opening insert contained in said body portion for receiving garbage, trash and the like, said main body portion having an exterior surface with the appearance of construction material and said cover means including means providing an upwardly opening cavity for the reception of flowers and the like whereby said receptacle has the outward appearance of a planter; said main body portion including spaced-apart inwardly projecting means adjacent opposite ends of said main body portion defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart elongated depressions and defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart channels, a pair of rails fixedly mounted on the bottom of said cover means and slidably respectively received in said channels, a pair of ribs attached to said insert adjacent the upper edge thereof and removably received in said depressions.

5. A decorative receptacle for containing garbage, trash and the like comprising an upwardly opening boxlike main body portion, cover means movably mounted on said main body portion for the opening and closing thereof, an upwardly opening insert contained in said body portion for receiving garbage, trash and the like, said main body portion having an exterior surface with the appearance of construction material and said cover means including means providing an upwardly opening cavity for the reception of flowers and the like whereby said receptacle has the outward appearance of a planter; said main body portion including spaced-apart inwardly projecting means adjacent opposite ends of said main body portion defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart elongated depressions and defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart channels, a pair of rails fixedly mounted on the bottom of said cover means and slidably respectively received in said channels, a pair of ribs attached to said insert adjacent the upper edge thereof and removably received in said depressions; bugspray means in said main body portion and lever actuating means operably engaging said bugspray means and extending to the exterior of said main body portion through an aperture in said main body portion for the actuation of said bugspray means from the exterior of said main body portion. 

1. A decorative receptacle for containing garbage, trash and the like comprising an upwardly opening boxlike main body portion, cover means movably mounted on said main body portion for the opening and closing thereof, an upwardly opening disposable flexible insert contained in said body portion for receiving garbage, trash and the like, said body portion having an exterior surface with the appearance of brick, said cover means including means providing an upwardly opening cavity for the reception of flowers and the like whereby said receptacle has the appearance of a planter, said main body portion including spaced-apart inwardly projecting means adjacent opposite ends of said main body portion defining a pair of parallel spaced apart elongated depressions and a pair of ribs attached to said insert adjacent the upper edge thereof and removably received in said depressions.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1 which includes a block of plastic contained in said cavity for simulating dirt and a plurality of artificial flowers upstandingly supported by said block of plastic for simulating growing flowers.
 3. The receptacle of claim 2 in which is included bugspray means in said main body portion and lever actuating means operably engaging said bugspray means and extending to the exterior of said main body portion through an aperture in said main body portion or the actuation of said bugspray means from the exterior of said main body portion.
 4. A decorative receptacle for containing garbage, trash and the like comprising an upwardly opening boxlike main body portion, cover means movably mounted on said main body portion for the opening and closing thereof, an upwardly opening insert contained in said body portion for receiving garbage, trash and the like, said main body portion having an exterior surface with the appearance of construction material and said cover means including means providing an upwardly opening cavity for the reception of flowers and the like whereby said receptacle has the outward appearance of a planter; said main body portion including spaced-apart inwardly projecting means adjacent opposite ends of said main body portion defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart elongated depressions and defining a pair of paRallel spaced-apart channels, a pair of rails fixedly mounted on the bottom of said cover means and slidably respectively received in said channels, a pair of ribs attached to said insert adjacent the upper edge thereof and removably received in said depressions.
 5. A decorative receptacle for containing garbage, trash and the like comprising an upwardly opening boxlike main body portion, cover means movably mounted on said main body portion for the opening and closing thereof, an upwardly opening insert contained in said body portion for receiving garbage, trash and the like, said main body portion having an exterior surface with the appearance of construction material and said cover means including means providing an upwardly opening cavity for the reception of flowers and the like whereby said receptacle has the outward appearance of a planter; said main body portion including spaced-apart inwardly projecting means adjacent opposite ends of said main body portion defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart elongated depressions and defining a pair of parallel spaced-apart channels, a pair of rails fixedly mounted on the bottom of said cover means and slidably respectively received in said channels, a pair of ribs attached to said insert adjacent the upper edge thereof and removably received in said depressions; bugspray means in said main body portion and lever actuating means operably engaging said bugspray means and extending to the exterior of said main body portion through an aperture in said main body portion for the actuation of said bugspray means from the exterior of said main body portion. 